This book investigates the importance of humour and play in the establishment of individual and group identities among adult language learners on an intensive business English course. The enclosed setting allows the emergent nature of community building and identity projection to be traced, foregrounding the important role of humorous play in these vital social processes. The book will be of interest to students and researchers of applied linguistics, second language acquisition and humour studies.
"I believe that Hann has achieved his purpose to show readers how low-proficiency adult learners can use language to play despite their limitations. ... Hann has made a valuable contribution in revealing deep insight into the meaning of laughter in the language classroom, and the ubiquitous ways in which play is present in the to-and-fro of healthy classroom communication." (Phuong Anh Nguyen, alanz.org.nz, February 4, 2021)